Naruto: Snow Cold

Embarrassing. This is so embarrassing.

Atsuka-san's voice rang out as a blushing Kenjiro-sensei left the room. "And that's how you're supposed to gather information, girls. This will be the last topic we'll be covering, and it'll be one of your most useful skills when infiltrating during a mission."

I have trouble socializing. How am I supposed to talk to strangers, let alone in... that way?

A glance around the room showed some girls nodding, eager to try out what they'd just learned, while others were already whispering to each other, exchanging sly grins. Not my crowd. I'm definitely not one of them.

Hyuuga Yui had a deadpan look on her face, probably wondering how the hell she ended up like this, just like me.

"What I want you to do is extract whatever information you can from any of your male classmates using the methods I've shown you. Remember every single one of them—body language, flattery and compliments, indirect questions, etc. Use physical contact if you have to."

P-Physical contact?

I couldn't help but feel my face heat up. The thought of touching anyone—especially one of my male classmates—made me want to crawl under my desk and hide.

Hyuuga Yui's stoic expression didn't falter, but I could tell she was probably freaking out inside, just like me. This felt like something out of a terrible roleplay game, only without the safety of a screen between us and reality.

I wasn't a very big fan of them, but I did play some in the past. Maybe I could put those skills to the test in real life? Ah, but it would be so cringy!

My mind raced, imagining all the possible ways things could go wrong. What if I accidentally said something weird? Or worse, what if I accidentally made them uncomfortable? I wasn't even sure I knew how to compliment someone properly, for fuck's sake!

Atsuka-san's voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and confident. "It's all about confidence. You don't have to go overboard, just be subtle. Who knows, perhaps you'll be able to snatch up that one boy you like if you're lucky!"

What? Do my classmates have crushes at this stage? I mean, the Uchihas are a bit handsome, and probably Hatake Kiyoshi as well, if he took off that stupid mask.

I couldn't help but think about how little girls there were in my class. There was about about... Ten? Including me. Senju Kiyoka, Hyuuga Yui, Suzume, Inuzuka Kyouka, Hatake Kaori, along with 4 civilian girls.

That's basically a little over a 1:2 ratio of girls to boys in the class. Is it because boys have more potential as soldiers? Whatever, I don't care.

I'll attain my own strength, and prove this world wrong.

The thought echoed in my mind like a mantra, the only thing that gave me some semblance of peace in this uncomfortable situation. I took one last glance, narrowing my eyes across the classroom as I rested my forearms on my desk.

The others were still chatting among themselves, discussing things that seemed so trivial compared to what I was thinking.

I could use this opportunity to finally make some friends other than Sora, right?

The thought alone made my stomach twist. Socializing wasn't my strong suit, and the idea of inserting myself into their conversations felt more daunting than any training exercise. But still… wasn't this what I wanted from the very beginning? I wanted to make friends. I want to be friends with people and have them know that I exist.

I don't even know why I don't even participate in class, or try talking to my classmates. I'm the one supposed to come to them, not the other way around. Fuck, didn't I start learning how to play the guitar solely because of this?

It's always been like this.

I tell myself I want to connect with people, but when the opportunity comes, I freeze. It's frustrating. I keep waiting for some perfect moment, as if one day, everything will just fall into place and I'll suddenly know how to talk to people.

But life doesn't work like that. I know that.

Still, knowing doesn't make it any easier.

I turned my head slightly, eyes flicking toward Hyuuga Yui. She was still sitting there with that same deadpan look, watching everything unfold like a quiet observer. Maybe I could try to spark up a conversation somehow?

No, no, no. I don't even know how to start.

You know what? Screw this. I'm just going to review what I've been learning all this time in these classes.

I pulled out my notes and flipped through the pages, trying to focus on the scribbled information instead of my growing frustration. If I couldn't talk to people, then at the very least, I could make sure I actually absorbed everything we'd been taught.

Body language, subtle cues, flattery, misdirection… All of these were supposed to be tools for information gathering, but I could barely imagine using them without cringing myself into another dimension.

Still, it wasn't useless. If I could apply even a fraction of these skills to actual missions, it'd make my life several times easier. Although I'd rather not use them at all and just fight, I'm not made for this kind of intel gathering.

Maybe I should just—

"Amai?"

I stiffened. That was Yui's voice. I turned my head slightly, trying not to look too eager. She was still deadpan as ever, but now, her pale eyes were focused on me.

"You're not going to participate?" she asked, her tone unreadable.

I hesitated. "I mean... are you?"

She blinked, and exhaled through her nose. "No. I think this is stupid and a mockery of our skills."

Huh. Didn't know she thought of it like that.

"...I see. I think it's kind of embarrassing, to be honest."

I-I'm actually holding up a conversation with one of my classmates!

Yui gave a small nod, "It is, but alas, we still have to try. I'd like to be as prepared as can be when we finally start our life as ninjas."

"Huh. I guess."

Silence ensued between us for a moment, and only the small chatter of the others filled the space around us. I shifted slightly in my seat, unsure if I should keep the conversation going or just let it fade away.

...I don't wanna admit it, but Hyuugas are pretty.

Yui, with her pale eyes and dark hair, had that same elegance most of her clan seemed to carry. It was almost unfair how naturally refined they looked.

Not that I'd ever say that out loud.

"...Hey, Yui-san?"

"Hm?"

Should I ask how it's like in her clan? Would that be rude? Nope, I'm not asking her that. Instead, I'm gonna just ask her some basic stuff and try to pry some information out of her. I should just treat this as training, and then it'll be just normal, right?!

"You uh, got any hobbies you like?"

"...I suppose I like training. Outside of that, I'm fond of baking with my mother and eating sweets."

My eyes widened, and I almost leaned forward in my seat, and hearing that, I lit up. "You like baking, too?!"

Oh shoot. I got too excited.

I quickly caught myself, heat rising in my cheeks. "I mean, uh… That's nice. Do you bake often?" I tried to sound casual, but I knew I probably came off as overenthusiastic.

"Not much. It's mostly strict in our clan. Lots of Taijutsu training for our Gentle Fist, and other things." Her voice was even, but I couldn't help but notice the slight pause. Maybe it was just my imagination, but there seemed to be a bit of weight behind her words.

I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling a little awkward.

"But it's not so bad. Sometimes we get breaks, and being with my brother Itsuki makes it bearable. Fun, even."

Wait, WHAT?! These two are siblings?

I blinked, caught off guard by the revelation. "Wait, Itsuki? As in, the guy in our class?"

"Indeed. You didn't know? I thought it'd be easy to tell the similarities between us, considering we've been in the same class for almost two years now."

I stared at her, trying to make sense of it. "I... I guess I never really noticed."

Yui's expression softened, though she kept her usual calm demeanor. "We tend to blend in. The Hyuuga clan values discipline and staying under the radar when it comes to personal matters. We don't like to make our family dynamics public, and especially our internal matters."

"That being said..." She hesitated for a moment, her gaze steady on mine. "I didn't mean to let this conversation lead into my personal life. You are good at getting information out of others."

I got flustered hearing that from her. "I-I wasn't trying to!"

"It's okay. I'm just surprised, you're quite approachable, despite being quiet most of the time, if not during the whole year so far. You don't participate in class much when it comes to theory and demonstrating your knowledge, if at all. You tend to avoid group activities, too, and only do things when you absolutely have to."

"Despite all of those flaws, I can feel you're not someone to mess with, no matter how unconfident you appear to be. Your Shurikenjutsu, Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Kenjutsu... It is all impressive. Especially for a civilian."

Oh. If only you knew. Wait, no, screw that! How can someone like her just analyze me like that?! If someone my age can do it, then imagine someone like Hiruzen. He'd read me like an open book!

I blinked, feeling the weight of her words. It wasn't the praise that unsettled me—it was how easily she saw through me. The way she dissected everything so nonchalantly, as if it was natural for her to spot strength beneath the surface.

"Thanks," I muttered, unsure how to respond.

Speaking of Kenjutsu, I did sign up for it a while ago and began taking some classes from a retired samurai that came from the Land of Iron, along with a few others, such as Hatake Kiyoshi, Uchiha Masaki, and Senju Masato.

There's still much I've yet to learn.